Method and apparatus for training a shooter of a firearm

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for training a shooter includes a mock weapon (handgun or rifle) which is composed of a material intended to make it heavier than a normal weapon for strength training and includes sights so that the user can train his or her eyes and in order to strengthen the muscles used during manipulation and use of a weapon without fatigue and with less tremor. This apparatus may also include a hinge mechanism for improving the user&#39;s ability to squeeze the trigger without imparting an angular force that could otherwise diminish accuracy.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application takes priority from U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 61/365,315 filed Jul. 17, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention comprises an apparatus for training a shooter of a firearm by increasing the strength of the muscles involved in shooting. The preferred embodiment employs free weights in the shape of a weapon (pistol and rifle) and springs for hand or index finger triggering for strength training, thereby preventing fatigue and subsequent tremor. It is also an object of this invention to train the user against side to side movement of the weapon when the user pulls the trigger which results if the trigger is pulled with a force that has a vector component to the sides as opposed to directly backward along the axis of the barrel. It is also an object of this invention to improve hand-eye coordination utilizing sights.

2. Prior Art

One of the attributes every marksman needs to acquire in order to improve his accuracy in shooting a target using a pistol or rifle is the ability to control and minimize tremor. Another is keeping his eye on the target through the sight while handling a weapon. It is a well-known fact that improving muscle strength decreases tremor.

Bilodeau M., et al. in “Strength Training Can Improve Steadiness In Persons With Essential Tremor”. Muscle Nerve. 2000 May; 23(5): 771-8, shows that strength training can decrease the magnitude of tremor.

Keogh J. K., et al. in “Strength And Coordination Training Are Both Effective In Reducing The Postural Tremor Amplitude Of Older Adults”. J Aging Phys. Act. 2010 January; 18(1): 43-60, show the same.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,162 issued to Parsons on Sep. 19, 1995 describes a mock training weapon made of a cast urethane material, lighter than a real weapon provided for law enforcement to enhance their training exercises.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,571,500 issued to Keenan, et al on Jun. 3, 2003 describes a handheld training pistol designed to train the user to anticipate the transition from double-action to single-action.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,507 issued to Rod, et al on Sep. 21, 1999 describes a process for training a shooter of firearms with sights comprising the steps of providing a remotely controlled trigger actuator for a firearm.

There is no prior art known to the applicant which is designed to train a marksman to squeeze the trigger directly along the axis of the barrel. Otherwise the firearm will pull to the side when the trigger is pulled and the bullet will miss the target.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a set of mock training pistols and rifles with sights and of different weights. It is intended for strength training the muscles involved in the act of shooting and thus decreasing physiological tremor during shooting. The sights on the mock weapons also help to improve hand-eye coordination, train the eye to focus at the sights and the target, and help the user measure and control his/her tremor while handling the heavy mock weapon by looking through the sights as in a real weapon, but while exercising. The user can further improve the strength of his/her grip, forearm muscles, and flexion of index finger (pulling a trigger) while keeping his hand steady, and his eye fixed on the target through the sights. It can also be used for strength training of the muscles of the shoulders involved in shooting i.e., with arm forward extension and abduction. Improving the muscles involved in the act of shooting a firearm will improve shooting accuracy by decreasing the physiological tremor and improving hand eye coordination and the ability to accommodate and fix the focus of the eye accurately on the target. In one modification of this design, the trigger mechanism may be attached to the body of the firearm via a hinge with adjustable resistance against the torque that is sufficient to rotate the trigger mechanism away from alignment with the axis of the barrel if the user does not pull the trigger directly along the barrel axis. This feature trains the user to pull the trigger straight and in line with the barrel. As the user becomes more proficient, he or she can decrease the resistance and practice with a lower torque threshold before the trigger mechanism rotates out of line during the trigger squeeze. Other versions of this type of torque-related exercise apparatus are also disclosed including a ball-detent pistol embodiment, a trigger-only hinge version, a trigger and barrel hinge version and a non-pistol version which employs a multi-finger spring mechanism affixed to a hinged-based palm member. Actual rotation of the trigger mechanism is not required in one embodiment in which a sensor measures the torque and sets off an alarm if it exceeds a selected threshold.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aforementioned objects and advantages of the present invention, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will be more fully understood herein after as a result of a detailed description of a preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a mock pistol with sights and trigger;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the mock pistol with sights and a spring-loaded trigger training mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the mock pistol with sights and another spring-loaded trigger mechanism;

FIG. 3 a is an enlarged view of the spring-loaded trigger mechanism of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the mock pistol with sights and spring-loaded handgrip mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the mock pistol with spring trigger mechanism that is attached to the body of the pistol via an adjustable torque mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a side view similar to FIG. 5 but showing a handgrip mechanism and another torque adjustment mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a top view showing the range of torque-induced angular offset between the handle and barrel of the firearm of FIGS. 5 and 6; and

FIG. 8 is a partially hidden side view of a ball-detent mock pistol embodiment of a torque-based exercise apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are enlarged cutaway views of a single ball-detent of the embodiment of FIG. 8 during and after torque-induced rotation;

FIG. 12 is a view of a mock pistol trigger and barrel version of a hinge-type torque-related exercise apparatus;

FIG. 13 is a view of a mock pistol trigger version of a hinge-type torque-related exercise apparatus;

FIG. 14 is a non-pistol version of a torque-related exercise apparatus employing a multi-finger spring mechanism affixed to a hinge-based palm member; and

FIGS. 15 and 16 respectively illustrate the form of exercise movements that are preferred for use with heavier mock pistols and rifles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the accompanying drawings, and FIGS. 1 and 2 specifically, it will be seen that a mock pistol 10 has what appears to be standard pistol components including a handle 12, a barrel 14, a body 15, front sight 16, rear sight 18, trigger 20 and trigger guard 22. However, pistol 10 is not a true replica of a real pistol for two reasons. One such distinction is that it is configured to weigh up to two to three times as much as a real pistol of equal size and shape. This additional weight makes it advantageous for use as an exercise device for a pistol shooter by allowing the toning effect of the extra weight on the very same muscles in the hand, arm and shoulder that are used by shooters in handling conventional weight pistols. The extra weight may be provided in several different ways including the use of denser materials or ballast in the handle 12 and barrel 14.

The second such distinction between the mock pistol 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 and a real pistol of comparable size and shape, is a spring-loaded trigger 20 which is attached to a rotary spring device 24 shown in FIG. 2. Spring-loaded trigger 20 permits exercise of the trigger or index finger, as well as the muscles of the hand, forearm, upper arm and shoulder used during shooting. In other respects, the mock pistol 10 is relatively true in appearance including the provision of sights 16 and 18 which permit eye-focusing practice.

The mock pistol 33 of FIGS. 3 and 3 a provides an alternative trigger finger exercise mechanism. In this embodiment, the trigger 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, is replaced with a spring-loaded compression device 26 having a built-in adjustable helical spring 28 shown in FIG. 3 a. This alternative configuration concentrates the trigger pull force in a more localized fashion on the proper pad area of the index finger, thereby further preparing the shooter for a steady and straight trigger pull motion when using a functional pistol. Another alternative embodiment designed to exercise the shooter's trigger pulling function, is shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment of a mock pistol 35, trigger 20 is replaced with a multi-finger pull mechanism 30 and trigger guard 22 is omitted. Mechanism 30 is designed to permit a shooter to exercise several fingers of the trigger-pulling hand instead of only the trigger finger. This mechanism 30 is also spring-biased to permit a significant degree of resistance in exercising at least the two or three middle fingers of the trigger hand, as well as associated muscles of the hand, forearm, arm and shoulder.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate alternative embodiments of an additional unique feature of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which a spring-loaded trigger 40 is affixed to one part 48 of a hinge-like device mounted in the handle 12 and barrel 14. The lower portion 46 is affixed to an interior wall of the handle and the upper part 48 is affixed to the barrel 14. A knurled knob 50 and a lower cap 45 are threadably interconnected by a bolt 44. The knob 50 is readily adjustable to control the degree of frictional engagement between hinge parts 46 and 48. A shooter can initially adjust knob 50 so that neither part can move relative to the other. In this mode, the shooter's failure to pull trigger 40 straight back against spring 41, parallel to the axis of the barrel 14, will create angular force vectors, but they will not be sufficient in magnitude to rotate upper part 48 through trigger stem 42. However, as the shooter loosens knob 50, the two parts 46 and 48 will be less frictionally engaged and thereby allow rotation of the upper part 48 relative to the lower part 46. Control of knob 50, acting through bolt 44 and cap 45, is designed to provide anywhere from a locking engagement between parts 46 and 48 to a virtually frictionless relation where part 48 is entirely free to rotate relative to part 46. In the latter configuration, virtually any angular vector force produced during the shooter's squeezing of trigger 40 against spring 41, will be transferred through stem 42 to upper hinge part 48. As a result, barrel 14 will rotate angularly relative to handle 12 in one direction or the other as shown in FIG. 7.

Another hinge-based embodiment is shown in FIG. 6. This embodiment employs multi-finger trigger 52 spring-loaded by helical spring 53 and connected by a stem 54 to an adjustable hinge mechanism 55. The hinge mechanism 55 employs a lower part 58 affixed to the handle 12 and an upper part 56 affixed to barrel 14. In addition, a range of adjustable breakaway torque is established by wing nut 60 and bolt 62. This embodiment therefore also provides training for reducing or entirely eliminating angular torque which will, depending upon the tightness of wing nut 60 and bolt 62, produce the offset shown in FIG. 7 unless the trigger pull direction is precisely aligned with the axis of the barrel.

FIGS. 8 through 11 show a ball-detent version 80 of a torque-based mock pistol exercise apparatus. Version 80 comprises a barrel 82, a handle 84, and a plurality of spring biased ball-detents 86 with helical springs 88. A wing nut 90 mounted to a threaded shaft 92 permits tightening and loosening of the interface between barrel 82 and handle 84 to permit variation of the torque threshold for permitting spring-loaded trigger 85 to produce angular motion between the barrel and the handle with non-axis directed force producing torque.

FIG. 12 shows another version of a torque-induced exercise device 93 which employs a barrel 94, a handle 96 and a spring-loaded trigger 95. Handle 96 has an axial member 98 which extends into barrel 94 and may be tightened and loosened by wing nut 99.

FIG. 13 shows still another torque-based version of an exercise device 100 wherein integral barrel 102 and handle 104 can be twisted relative to trigger guard 106 and spring-loaded trigger 108 and relative to hinge 110. A knurled knob 112 controls torque level to permit such twisting depending on trigger force and torque angle. Finally, FIG. 14 shows a non-pistol version 120 of a torque-based device wherein a multi-finger trigger like device 122 is connected to a spring 124 which, in turn, is connected to a hinge-based handle-like device 126. A knob 128 connected to spring 124 is mounted to a threaded shaft 132 to which an adjusting head 130 is attached for varying the torque threshold for developing torque-free motion of the finger-like device.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate a shooter exercising with pistol 10 and rifle 70 mock weapons, respectively. The extra weight of mock weapons 10 and 70 compared to their respective real counterparts, permits respective shooters to build and tone the muscles of the hand, arm and shoulder and to practice focusing via the gun sights to improve hand-eye coordination. It will be understood that to best exploit the mock weapons of FIGS. 15 and 16, each is preferably provided as a set of weighted pistols 10, or a set of weighted rifles 70 to permit a shooter to gradually increase the mock gun weight as he or she exercises over a period of time. Such increase in mock pistol or rifle weight over time, serves to gradually increase the strength of muscles and reduce or eliminate the tremor of those muscles which commonly interferes with the accuracy of the shooter. The same gradual effect is found in the adjustability of the hinge or detent mechanism of the embodiments of FIG. 5 through 14, which trains shooters to limit the non-axial movement of a trigger pull.

It will now be apparent that the present invention comprises a novel training and conditioning apparatus for gun enthusiasts. Mock weapons have the size and shape of real guns but are heavier for exercising muscles used for shooting to minimize tremor. A particularly unique feature is a hinge mechanism for training shooters to pull a trigger without imparting any non-axial force that could otherwise cause an inaccuracy in the shooting event. 

1. A mock pistol shaped to emulate a real pistol and weighted to exceed the weight of a real pistol for use as an exercise apparatus for exercising muscles used by a shooter of the real pistol.
 2. The mock pistol of claim 1 further comprising a spring-loaded moveable trigger.
 3. The mock pistol of claim 2 wherein said moveable trigger comprises an adjustable spring for varying the force required to pull said trigger.
 4. The mock pistol of claim 2 wherein said trigger is a one-finger trigger.
 5. The mock pistol of claim 2 wherein said trigger is a multi-finger trigger.
 6. The mock pistol of claim 1 wherein said pistol comprises a simulated gun handle and a simulated gun barrel, said pistol further comprising a hinge mechanism having two parts that are rotatable, one relative to the other, one such part connected to said handle, the other such part connected to said barrel, said pistol also having a simulated trigger connected to one such part of said hinge mechanism for causing relative movement between said parts and between said barrel and said handle upon non-axial torque being applied to said trigger.
 7. The mock pistol of claim 6 further comprising an adjustment device for controlling said two parts of said hinge mechanism for varying the amount of non-axial torque causing relative movement between said parts.
 8. A mock rifle shaped to emulate a real rifle and weighted to exceed the weight of a real rifle for use as an exercise apparatus for exercising muscles used by a shooter of the real rifle.
 9. The mock rifle of claim 8 further comprising a spring-loaded moveable trigger.
 10. The mock rifle of claim 9 wherein said moveable trigger comprises an adjustable spring for varying the force required to pull said trigger.
 11. The mock rifle of claim 9 wherein said trigger is a one-finger trigger.
 12. The mock rifle of claim 9 wherein said trigger is a multi-finger trigger.
 13. The mock rifle of claim 8 further comprising target aiming sights of a real rifle for practicing eye focusing during exercise with said mock rifle.
 14. A mock pistol comprising: a simulated gun handle; a simulated gun barrel; a simulated gun trigger; a hinge mechanism connecting said simulated gun handle to said simulated gun barrel, said simulated gun trigger being connected to said hinge mechanism for tending to rotate said barrel relative to said handle in the event that said trigger is pulled at a non-zero angle relative to said barrel whereby torque is imparted to said hinge mechanism.
 15. The mock pistol recited in claim 14 wherein said hinge mechanism is adjustable for varying the magnitude of torque required to cause actual rotation of said barrel relative to said handle.
 16. The mock pistol recited in claim 14 comprising a sensor for measuring said torque whether or not said actual rotation occurs.
 17. The mock pistol recited in claim 16 further comprising an alarm for alerting a shooter when said sensor measures a torque that exceeds a selected threshold.
 18. A shooter's exercise apparatus comprising a trigger-like device simulating a trigger of a real weapon, said apparatus having two portions that may rotate, one relative to the other, in the event that the trigger-like device is pulled while inadvertently applying torque, said rotation being indicative of a poorly directed pull of said trigger-like device.
 19. The apparatus recited in claim 18 further comprising an adjustment device for varying the magnitude of torque applied to said trigger-like device which is sufficient to initiate said rotation.
 20. The apparatus recited in claim 18 further comprising an electronic sensor for measuring and displaying said torque. 